The Secret Language of Love

The perfect Valentine, this compendium of passion, romance, and desire throughout the ages is packed with a treasure trove of literature, poetry, specially commissioned illustrations, and world-famous works of art ranging from Klimt's Kiss to Manet's Olympia. The lively text explores such classic and provocative themes as eternal love, the definition of beauty, the chemistry of attraction, and the connection between love and sex. From the mythical passions of Greek gods to the discreet romantic practices of Victorian England, this lavish volume traces through the ages the paradigms of love that color our feelings, desires, and fantasies today. Comprehensive sections on signposts of romance, such as the kiss, the courtship, and the wedding, round out the book, making The Secret Language of Love an original and sensuous celebration of the most intense and joyous emotion in our lives.